Tough talks on asylum seekers

Michelle Grattan and David Wroe

DISSIDENT Labor and Coalition MPs are set to strongly question their respective sides' toughening of asylum-seeker policy this week, as crossbencher Tony Windsor claimed the debate was laced with ''racism''.

Left convener Doug Cameron on Sunday called on Julia Gillard for a full statement to caucus on Tuesday, while Liberal moderates Russell Broadbent and Judi Moylan criticised temporary protection visas.

In its latest tough proposal, the Coalition said at the weekend it would introduce a private member's bill to restore TPVs, used in the Howard years.

Meanwhile, another boat arrived on Saturday with 87 abroad.

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Mr Windsor said: ''We should all be ashamed to even be in the Parliament, the way in which this debate has carried on. The politics of the dog whistle, the veiled racism.''

He most criticised the Coalition for stirring up fear but said Labor was allowing itself to be dragged to the right.

Senator Cameron said there should be a prime ministerial report to caucus about what steps had been taken to implement a regional framework. It should also cover what discussions the government had had with the Sri Lankan government, and factors behind the massive influx of Sri Lankans, as well as discussions with Indonesia, and ''how we can fashion processing to ensure those without genuine claims are quickly sent home and those with genuine claims are treated with humanity''.

Criticising last week's government decision to put those of the post-August 13 arrivals who have to be processed on shore on bridging visas without work rights for up to five years, Senator Cameron said: ''In my opinion, not one caucus member understood the 'no advantage' test meant throwing asylum seekers into abject poverty.''

The Labor Left faction will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss the government's asylum seeker policy.

"My concerns go to the fact that our policies are being determined on the basis of narrow domestic considerations, when this is a huge geopolitical issue," Senator Cameron told ABC Radio on Monday.

Senator Cameron said the Left faction meeting would also discuss Palestine and job losses in the eastern states.

Mr Broadbent, who will speak out in the Coalition party room on Tuesday, said he had never been a supporter of temporary protection visas, which allow people who have refugee status to be repatriated if things change in their home countries.

As Parliament resumes for the final sitting week of the year, the latest Newspoll shows the Coalition leading the government, 51 per cent to 49 per cent, two-party-preferred.

With the result the same as Newspoll found two weeks ago, it appears that the past fortnight - dominated by fierce debate about asylum seekers and the AWU scandal - has had little impact on voting intentions.

Labor's primary vote remains at 36 per cent with the Coalition also staying put at 43 per cent. The Greens' primary vote is up one point from last fortnight to 11 per cent.